Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Chiang Mai

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden entrance

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden entrance, in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand




In a beautiful location nestled in the foothills of Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, Mae Rim in Chiang Mai province, in the northeast part of Thailand, Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is a relative youngster among botanic gardens, having been established in 1993, but the 1,000 hectares has been planned well and shows good diversity even in its teenage years. Thais are proud of this garden, the first one in the country of international standard.


Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden Tram

Loading the tram at the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden entrance




The tram ride from the front gate to the greenhouse complex was a delight (it also saved us an hour uphill walk) as we snaked up the hillside past ornamental gardens, paved walking trails and native woodlands.

The greenhouse complex at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

The greenhouse complex at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden



The glasshouse complex has 12 houses, the biggest one having a tropical rainforest theme. Others of particular note are the arid house with quite respectable specimens of cycads, Euphorbia, cacti and succulents. The foot stool–like barrel cactus were a delight to see. The aquatic house was interesting, not what was expected to see under cover. The water plants, lotus, Victoria water lilies and more, are presented attractively in stacked round pools.  Particularly colorful are the mauve vanda orchids blooming profusely in the orchid and fern house.  The variegated greenhouse was quite interesting as this house contained many exciting variations of everyday plants.  Around the greenhouse are beds of ornamental flowering plants, pools of water plants, a floral clock, large skyrocketing fountain, and outdoor orchid displays decorating the edge of a valley overlook.

Wax rose, Pereskia bleo in bloom

Wax rose, Pereskia bleo in bloom beside the rainforest greenhouse in Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden



Pereskia bleo, the wax rose is a tree that has flowers similar to a brilliant scarlet semi-double hibiscus, but a closer inspection will reveal needle-like spines and that this really is a plant that belongs in the cactus family. Wax rose isn’t a desert cactus, but a leafy one that grows in the shady moist forests of Central America.  It was certainly growing and flowering nicely outside the rainforest greenhouse in the foothills of Chiang Mai.
Barrel cactus in the arid greenhouse at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

Barrel cactus in the arid greenhouse at Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

 

Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.  Don’t miss visiting the gift shop for a few seeds, books or QSBG hats for souvenirs.  For more information visit the www.qsbg.org website, email Orgnid display

An orchid display decorates the valley overlook at the greenhouse complex Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden

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